A Just Transition code of good practice is needed to protect SA workers

MAY DAY as annually observed globally is more than just a rededication to the struggles for workers’ rights, but about the centrality of the global work force’s need to secure the future of work.

- BOITUMELO MOLETE

The theme for this year being “Industrialization, Trade, and Decent Work for Social Justice" highlights the importance of using industrialization and trade as tools for generating decent employment, promoting economic growth, and ensuring equity and dignity for workers.

As we seek and find solutions to greatest threat of our times climate change, we do so with the full appreciation that there is an energy transition and green revolution currently underway and already altering the labour market with the associated workforce disruption in high-emission industries, with mining and electricity generation bearing the first brunt.

Workers Day occurs amidst a fragile and volatile geo-political environment, characterised by efforts to undermine multilateralism, global governance, and international solidarity.

At the same time, the advent of the fourth Industrial Revolution and the global push for decarbonisation present both challenges and opportunities for our economy and workers whom without a just transition framework risk being displaced.

With power plant closures in the horizon and the global commitment to move to a low carbon economy, many workers, and communities within the coal value chain are being left without appropriate planning and sufficient protection.

In coal mining and energy generation regions like Mpumalanga the shift away from fossil fuels brings to workers’ and communities’ additional vulnerabilities.